Korea, the Land of the Morning Calm

The Land of the Morning Calm is one destination that transforms the traveler with sights and sounds both ancient and modern. Traffic in downtown Seoul rivals New York City in intensity but the rural areas of Gyeongsangbuk-do province grab your pulse and force it to slow down. Unless you are of Asian ancestry, you will feel your minority status immediately, but the gracious courtesy and the kindness of the people will make you feel right at home.

Serious Karaoke

One moment you can be surrounded by blaring horns in the heart of Seoul and the next bathed in quiet on a mountain trail. City lovers will find a variety of exciting night life and the ever present karaoke bar. Koreans take their karaoke very seriously. Long office hours and a high tech work ethic give way to laughter and fun that offers the traveler such a variety of things to do and see that a trip to South Korea will never bore you no matter how many times you visit.

Getting Around

With eight airports listed as “International” and a modern and efficient national railway system, traveling from one end to the other of the Republic of Korea is easily done. A simple web search will give you all you need to know about schedules and destinations. Once on the train, easy to read maps above your head let you know when your stop approaches. Asking locals for directions can be a challenge in the rural areas because Koreans are often shy about their command of the English language, but if you take the time to ask questions and use a guide book that shows the Korean Hangul letters for the places you want to see, you will almost always get reliable directions. You might even get a personal escort to the local post office or hotel by helpful Koreans that feel it’s just as easy to show you as tell you.

Sea, Slopes, Shopping, and Sight-Seeing

About the size of Indiana, South Korea has a topography dominated by the sea on three sides. Coastal communities like Incheon, Busan and Tongyeong offer seafood dining along with historic vistas. Mountainous terrain covers 70 percent of the Korea. This is a country where there is a slope, angle, beach, mountain top, simple village or shopping experience for everyone.
Korea has 20 National Parks covering 6.5% of the country’s land mass. Over two dozen temples dot the landscape. Many, like Bulguksa Temple near Gyeongju, are on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
Most visitors to Korea land at the Incheon International Airport. You can get your first taste of authentic Korean food in small local restaurants nearby. Be prepared to take off your shoes as you enter a different world of dining seated on the floor. South Koreas’ vast and efficient public transportation can whisk you to the inner city or the rural rice fields with equal ease. You will find the Seoul subway as easy to navigate as the Parisian “Le Metro”. Maps are available at the airport.

Bow for Respect

Courtesy demands that you learn to bow as efficiently as you would shake hands with a friendly suburban neighbor. With no fanfare, bring your feet together, leave your hands to your side and bow from the waist. Look briefly at the ground and come up smiling.

If you can’t find something to do in Korea, you just aren’t paying attention. Korea has a strong environmental movement that has ensured the preservation of mountainous hiking trails for all levels of fitness.
To get a real feel for the culture, be sure to ask about “Korean” accommodations when booking hotel rooms. You will be treated to comfy quilted bedding on a heated floor and simple décor that will reinforce your travel memories of a distant and fascinating land.

Kimchi and other Korean Food

Be sure to sample the local food. You can find McDonald’s if you must, but you’ll be missing out on exquisite Korean barbeque and tables filled with tiny earthenware or china bowls filled to the brim with delicious crisp vegetables, delectables from the sea and the ever present Kimchi or pickled spicy cabbage.

Green Tea Hot Bath

Nothing ends a day of hiking in the Korean mountains or shopping along Gingko Tree lined bazaars like a trip to a traditional Korean bath house. Sitting in a hot tub filled with green tea is guaranteed to improve your skin and your disposition. Bath houses in Korea offer safe and pleasant surroundings for steam baths and hot tub soaking for all tastes. Separate men’s and women’s facilities provide bathers with attendants, towels and lockers. Some are very upscale but all are reasonably priced.
The history, the culture, the food, the vistas, the accommodations, the laughter and the memories of your visit to South Korea will find you smiling and repeating “Ka Ham Sa Ham Ni Da” - thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.